Reviewed by Valerie 

TITLE:  Budding Attraction

SERIES:  Divorced Men’s Club #3

AUTHOR:  Saxon James

PUBLISHER:  May Books

LENGTH:  283 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 16, 2022

BLURB:   

Ford

I’ve never thought much about Orson Naples.

He’s a cute guy who I’d seen around town a few times, but then one day he up and left and didn’t reappear until a few years later. No one knows where he went or what he was doing, all this gossipy town knows is that he’s a widower, owns the florist, and is friends with that divorced group that hang out at the Killer Brew all the time.

But then one day I step into his flower shop and go from rarely thinking about him, to him constantly being on my mind.

There’s a restlessness to him that I’m dying to unlock answers to.

And his eyes linger on me a little too long for a straight man …

Orson

Ford Thomas is a pest. A delightful one. A tempting one. But I’m too old for games.

The ones I’ve played in the past have always led me to trouble which is why I vowed to settle down and live a quiet life.

So when Ford walks into my shop all uncontained energy and flirty quips in a pair of heavy work boots, I know I should show him the door.

I don’t need fun. I don’t need experiences.

Especially when those experiences have me questioning things I thought I knew about myself.

REVIEW:   

Budding Attraction, a friends to lovers novel, is a great addition to the Divorced Men’s Club series; it’s by far my favorite of the three. This is an engaging, bisexual awakening, love story between two men in their forties – Ford, who hasn’t had much interest in relationships, and Orson, a straight man moving on from his wife’s death a few years prior.

Orson is the town florist who has no life outside of his work and his friends in the Divorced Men’s Club. Even though he’s widowed, not divorced, he was welcomed by the support group’s members because like them, he’s starting over. He doesn’t mind being alone but he’s also at a point where he’s contemplating what’s next for him in life. He’s grappling with whether or not he should feel guilty for moving on.

Ford is a big, tattooed, charming mechanic who takes flirting to a new high. His stature intimidates some, but not Orson. When Ford asks Orson for a date, Orson makes it clear it won’t be a date, just friends going out because he’s straight. As long as he can rationalize that each date is “Not a Date”, he continues to go out with Ford. They have a great deal of fun together, flirting and getting a little touchy feely. They both want to be around the other constantly.

Saxon James did a wonderful job creating the witty, playful banter between them as they gradually get to know each other. Orson is becoming confused and questioning his sexual identity. Ford, meanwhile, feels about Orson like he does about the other two parts of his life he cherishes: being a mechanic and volunteering with kids. Those are integral parts of his life and now Orson is too. They fit together seamlessly.

I loved the anticipation Ms. James built up as the men continued to tease each other and dished out plenty of innuendo. The slow burn was delicious and their first sexual encounter – and Orson’s first time with a man – felt realistic. This book fits the niche of older heroes perfectly. It was refreshing to see their honest, straightforward communication. They work through Orson’s uncertainty slowly, maturely, and with mutual respect. Orson eventually decides it’s time to start living in the present.

Of course the texts among the DMC guys are present and, as usual, they’re hilarious. I enjoyed getting to know a bit more about Art. Hopefully his book will be up soon (with Joey the bartender maybe??) This book can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the series in order to get a fuller understanding of the divorced men’s club.

Orson is a very lovable, big-hearted guy but it’s Ford who stole my heart. He’s so patient and gentle with Orson. Ford wants him so badly but he gives Orson the time and head space to move slowly and be sure of what he wants. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books but something about the dynamic between Ford and Orson spoke to me stronger. There’s fantastic humor in this book including Ford’s newfound love of flowers. Budding Attraction is not to be missed.

RATING:

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